Punchout contactless transaction card

ABSTRACT

A transaction card assembly that includes a transaction card having a contactless integrated circuit that communicates with a card reader, and a sheet surrounding a transaction card and substantially coplanar with the card. The transaction card is detached from the sheet by pressing on at least a portion of the card in a direction substantially perpendicular to the sheet. Also, a punchout transaction card that includes a contactless integrated circuit that communicates with a card reader. At least a portion of an edge of the card was attached to a substantially coplanar sheet surrounding the card, and the card was detached from the sheet by pressing on at least a portion of the attached card that was substantially perpendicular to the sheet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to assemblies for contactlesstransaction cards having non-standard sizes or ships. Specifically, theinvention relates to punchout transaction card assemblies that hold anddisplay the contactless transaction card until it is broken out.

Transaction cards, such as credit cards, debit cards, ATM cards, bankcards, etc., are increasingly replacing other types of tender inconsumer transactions. In addition, vendors and merchants are issuingever more types of transaction cards, such as loyalty cards, gift cards,stored valued cards, etc., for sales promotions and the cultivation ofcustomer loyalty. As a result, consumers are struggling to find moreroom in their wallets and carrying cases to store an expandingassortment of transaction cards.

While consumers juggle increasing numbers of transaction cards, theystill generally rely on a small subset of cards for most of theirpurchases. For example, a consumer may use a favorite credit card formost purchases, and rarely use other credit cards, debit cards, storedvalue cards, etc. For this subset of frequently used cards, consumersdesire fast and easy card accessibility relative to the rest of thecards they carry.

One way to improve accessibility of frequently used cards is by allowingthem to be stored in a separate location from the traditional wallet orcarrying case. Such cards could be stored on key-chains, lanyards,hooks, or other similar devices that are easily retrieved from a bag orpocket. Thus, when a consumer needs to use the card during atransaction, the card may be quickly retrieved and given to themerchant. This provides an added level of convenience to the consumer bymaking the payment process quicker and simpler. Additionally, themerchant is able to move customers through the line more quickly,improving customer satisfaction. Another benefit is that frequently usedcards stored on a key-chain or like device are less likely to be lost.This is because a single card is much more easily misplaced than a cardattached to a key-chain.

Conventionally sized cards, however, are too large and cumbersome to beconveniently stored on a key-chain or like device. The individual itemson a key chain should be small and compact so that the key-chain canaccommodate numerous items. Further, key-chains and the like are oftenplaced in the pockets of clothing, which may be small. Finally, largeritems, such as conventional credit cards, could be bent or otherwisedamaged when stored on a device such as a key-chain. Thus, for a card tobe effectively carried on a key-chain, its size must be significantlyreduced.

For conventional contact transaction cards, the degree to which the cardmay be reduced in size or changed in shape is limited by therequirements of the contact interface. For example, many conventionaltransaction cards having a magnetic stripe that contacts a stripe readeron a point-of-sale (“POS”) terminal when a user “swipes” the card tomake a purchase or payment. In order to ensure interoperability betweenthe magnetic stripe readers and cards bearing magnetic stripes, theparameters defining the magnetic stripe are governed by theInternational Organization for Standardization (ISO) and theInternational Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). ISO/IEC 7811 providesstandards for the physical characteristics of the magnetic stripeincluding the location of the stripe on the card, the surface profile ofthe stripe, and the height of the stripe above the card surface.Conforming to the standard requires significant restrictions on the sizeand shape of the transaction card.

Transaction cards with non-standard shapes and sizes also presentdifficulties for merchants and service providers trying to attract theattention of consumers in a crowded and competitive market for suchcards. Small sized cards, for example, are difficult to see at adistance, and have a more limited surface space for branding andadvertisements. Cards with odd shapes can be difficult to package anddisplay. Thus, there is a need for a transaction card solution thatpermits the cards to have a wide range of forms (including forms that donot conform to the ISO/IEC 7811 standard) while also being easy formerchants, vendors, service providers, etc. to package and display.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention include a transaction card assembly thatincludes a transaction card having a contactless integrated circuit thatcommunicates with a card reader. The assembly also includes a sheetsurrounding at least a portion of the transaction card and substantiallycoplanar with the card. The transaction card may be detached from thesheet by pressing on at least a portion of the card in a directionsubstantially perpendicular to the sheet.

Embodiments of the invention also include a punchout transaction cardthat includes a contactless integrated circuit that communicates with acard reader, where at least a portion of an edge of the card wasattached to a substantially coplanar sheet surrounding the card. Thecard was detached from the sheet by pressing on at least a portion ofthe attached card that was substantially perpendicular to the sheet.

Embodiments of the invention further include a transaction card assemblythat has a substantially planar member having a first edge; and atransaction card having a second edge. The member and the transactioncard are reversibly attached along at least a portion of the first andsecond edge, and the transaction card includes a contactless integratedcircuit that communicates with a card reader.

Embodiments of the invention still further include methods of making atransaction card assembly. The methods may include the steps ofproviding a sheet, and forming a transaction card in the sheet. Thetransaction card has a contactless integrated circuit that communicateswith a card reader, and at least a portion of an edge of the transactioncard is reversibly attached to the sheet.

Additional embodiments and features are set forth in part in thedescription that follows, and in part will become apparent to thoseskilled in the art upon examination of the specification or may belearned by the practice of the invention. The features and advantages ofthe invention may be realized and attained by means of theinstrumentalities, combinations, and methods described in thespecification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1F show plan views of transaction card assemblies according toembodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a flowchart illustrating a method of making a transactioncard assembly according to embodiments of the invention; and

FIG. 3 shows a flowchart illustrating another method of making atransaction card assembly according to embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention includes transaction card assembly that includes atransaction card which is detachable from a surrounding sheet. The sheetmay have a size and shape that is easy to package and display, as wellas one or more surfaces on which branding and advertising may beprominently displayed. The transaction card may have a standard ornon-standard shape and size, and includes a contactless integratedcircuit that allows transactions to be conducted without physicalcontact between the card and transaction processing device at the pointof sale. Because the transaction may be contactless, the transactioncard does not have to be limited only to shapes and sizes dictated bythe ISO/IEC 7811 standard for contact transaction cards.

FIGS. 1A-1D show embodiments of transaction card assemblies according toembodiments of the invention. FIG. 1A shows a transaction card assembly100 that includes a sheet 102 surrounding and attached to a transactioncard 104. The sheet 102 and transaction card 104 are coupled byconnecting tabs 106 that may be formed by punching, scoring, ablating,etc. portions of the sheet 102 around the transaction card 104. The tabs106 can be manually broken to detach the card 104 from the sheet 102.For example, flexural forces may be applied to the card 104 in order toweaken and ultimately break the connecting tabs 106.

The sheet 102 may be made out of the same material as the transactioncard 104, and may include conventional transaction card materials suchas plastics, polymers, paper, and the like. The shape of the sheet 102may be selected for easy packaging and display.

Sheet 102 may be formed with an integrated holder such as one or moreapertures like aperture 107 for suspending the sheet from a display hook(e.g., a J-peg holder mounted on a wall or countertop display or someother type of display rack or suspension system). In some embodiments,the sheet 102 may include a pair of collinearly positioned J-pegapertures (not shown), spaced apart to accept a dual-pronged displayhook. As shown in FIGS. 1A-1D, the apertures may have a variety ofshapes and sizes such as round, triangular, square, rectangular, diamondshaped, etc.

The transaction card 104 may also include an aperture 109. Transactioncards may have a single aperture, like transaction card 104, or aplurality of apertures with the same or different shapes. The shape ofthe apertures may be circular, elliptical, hemispherical, square,rectangular, triangular, polygonal, etc. The inside edge of the aperturemay also be reinforced to reduce the chance of the aperture tearing orsplitting, for example when the aperture is linked to a keychain ring.Reinforcement of the aperture may be provided by metal or hard plasticcollar (not shown) secured to the inside edge of the aperture.

The aperture 109 may also be designed for coupling the transaction card104 to a protective cover or carrying case (not shown). For example, theaperture 109 may be designed to accept a fastener, such as a pin, thatsecures the card to the cover. The card may be swung in and out of theholder in a jack-knife motion where the card does not completely detachfrom the holder.

The apertures in the transaction cards may have an ascetic function. Forexample, a plurality of apertures in the card may be arranged into adistinctive pattern that serves as a way to brand the card, or amerchant, vender, service provider, etc. associated with the card.Whether apertures are functional, ascetic, or a combination of both,they may be spaced a distance from the contactless integrated circuit orcard identifying media so as not to interfere with the function of thoseelements. For example, an aperture formed in the card may be spacedabout 1/16 of an inch or more from these elements.

The transaction card 104 also includes an contactless integrated circuitchip 108, which may include a wireless transmitter and/or receiver forexchanging information with a transaction card reader. The chip 108 mayinclude an antenna for transmitting and receiving information associatedwith the transaction on a modulated RF carrier signal. The contactlessIC chip 108 may be designed to conform to ISO/IEC standards forcontactless integrated circuit cards and proximity cards, including theISO/IEC 14443 standard, and/or the ISO/IEC 15693 standard, among others.

A transaction may be conducted by positioning the transaction card 104 aproximate distance from the point of sale device capable of receiving asignal from the card. Embodiments also include having the point of saledevice transmit a signal to the card, such as a handshake signalinstructing the card to start transmitting data that can be used toprocess the transaction. The POS device may also transmit signals withinformation about the transaction or debit account associated with thecard for storage on the card. For example, when the transaction card 104conforms to the ISO/IEC 14443 standard, a POS device (not shown) maysend and receive messages about the transaction via a modulated RF fieldthat has a carrier frequency of 13.56 MHz.

FIGS. 1B-D show additional embodiments of transaction card assembliesaccording to the invention. FIG. 1B shows a triangular shapedtransaction card assembly 120 having three apertures 127A-C positionednear the three corners of the sheet 122. A circular shaped transactioncard 124 is attached to the sheet 122 by tab 126. The circulartransaction card 124 has a contactless IC chip 128, and may also includea star-shaped aperture 129 for coupling the card 124 to another object(e.g., a keychain).

FIG. 1C shows another embodiment of a transaction card assembly 130,which includes a star-shaped transaction card 134 attached to sheet 132.The transaction card 134 may be attached to the sheet 132 by tabs 136located at each point of the star. The card 134 includes a contactlessIC chip 138 to permit contactless transactions and an aperture 139. Thesheet 132 also includes a star-shaped aperture 137.

FIG. 1D shows still another embodiment of a transaction card assembly140, which includes an arrow-shaped transaction card 144 attached tosheet 142 by tabs 145 and 146. The card 144 includes a contactless ICchip 148 and a circular aperture 149. The sheet 142 also includes asquare aperture 147.

FIG. 1E shows another embodiment of a transaction card assembly 150,where less that the entire transaction card 154 is surrounded by sheet152. In the embodiment shown, the transaction card 154 is coupled to thesheet 152 along perforation 156. The card 154 may be detached by bendingalong perforation 156 until the card 154 separates from the top portionof the sheet. The transaction card 154 includes a contactless IC chip158 to permit contactless transactions and an aperture 159. The sheet152 also includes a rectangular-shaped aperture 157.

FIG. 1F shows yet another embodiment of a transaction card assembly 160,also having less than the entire transaction card 164 being surroundedby the sheet 162. The transaction card 164 is coupled to the sheet 162along the perforation 166. The card 164 may be detached by pressing onthe card to break it away from the sheet 162 along the perforation 166.The transaction card 164 includes a contactless IC chip 168 to permitcontactless transactions and an aperture 169. The sheet 162 alsoincludes a hemispherical-shaped aperture 167.

It will be appreciated that the data card may comprise a variety ofother shapes not illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1F. The transaction card, forexample, may have any rectangular, circular, semi-circular, elliptical,polygonal, etc., shape. The shape of the card may also be indicative ofthe business of a merchant, service provider, organization, etc.associated with transactions made with the card. For example, the cardmay have the shape of a store or restaurant front, houses, shoes,athletic equipment (e.g., football, baseball, tennis racket, hockeystick, etc.), food products (e.g., fruits, vegetables, pizza, donuts,hamburgers, etc.) beverage products, cars, animals (e.g., pets,livestock, etc.), cartoon characters, and consumer goods, among othershapes.

The present transaction cards may include a variety of sizes, includingbut not limited to, standard sized credit cards such as the 3⅜ inches by2⅛ inches by 0.03 inches thick conventional CR-80 type card.Embodiments, for example, include transaction cards with a conventionalrectangular shape, and dimensions of less than 3⅜ inches in width andless than 2⅛ inches in height, such as a minicard. The assemblies mayalso contain larger than standard-sized cards, provided the cards have asize that is practical for being carried in a purse, wallet, pantspocket, etc.

The transaction cards of the present invention may also have additionalelements for transaction processing. These may include indicia on thetransaction card such as alpha-numeric characters that uniquely identifya transaction account associated with the card. They may also include amagnetic stripe to store card information such as a card number, whichcan be read by a magnetic card reader at a conventional POS terminal.The card may further include a bar code that has card informationreadable by a bar code scanner. In addition, the card may have asignature strip that can be signed by the cardholder.

The transaction card assemblies shown in FIGS. 1A-F may haveadvertising, branding, instructional information and other indicia. Forexample, the sheets may contain promotional information, trademarks,logos, graphics, website addresses, etc., associated with the vendors,merchants and/or service providers that sponsor or accept thetransaction card. The indicia may be confined exclusively to the sheetportion of the transaction card assembly, or it may overlap both thesheet and the transaction card. For example, a focal point of a graphicmay be centered on the transaction card while background scenery spillsover onto the surrounding sheet, providing a larger sized display of thegraphic on the overall card assembly.

Indicia may also be presented on opposite sides of the transaction cardassembly. For example, the assembly may have a display side forpromotional graphics and logos, and an instruction side that is oppositethe display side that has instructional information, terms andconditions, etc. for using the transaction card, as well as informationon how to remove the card from the card assembly. The sheet portion ofthe instruction side may also contain identification indicia such as aset of alpha-numeric characters and/or a bar code that uniquelyidentifies the assembly. The indicia may be included as part of theinformation used to activate the transaction card.

FIG. 2 shows a flowchart illustrating a method of making a transactioncard assembly 200 according to embodiments of the invention. The method200 includes providing a blank sheet 202 on which the transaction cardmay be formed or attached. The blank sheet may be made from plastics,polymers, paper, etc., including the same materials used to make thetransaction card.

Indicia may be added to the sheet 204, including promotionalinformation, trademarks, logos, graphics, website addresses, etc. Theindicia may be confined exclusively to the non-transaction card portionof the sheet, or it may overlap both the transaction card and thesurrounding sheet. Indicia may be printed on a display side of the sheetthat faces an observer looking at the display, and may also be printedon an opposite side of the sheet that may, for example, includeinstructional and identification information about the transaction card.

Apertures may be formed in the sheet 206 so that the sheet may besuspended from a display hook or other suspension mechanism (e.g., adetachable tab, line, etc.). Apertures may also be formed for aestheticreasons to create a design in the sheet. In some embodiments, one ormore of the apertures may be formed on a part of the sheet that becomesthe transaction card.

The transaction card may be formed in the sheet in step 208. This stepmay include removing a portion of the sheet to form the perimeter of thetransaction card. For example, the sheet may be mechanically stamped orlaser cut to form the outline of the transaction card. Also, during thisstep or a subsequent step indicia may be formed on the transaction cardfor identification, branding, and or instructional purposes. Securityindicia, such as a holographic decal, may also be added to thetransaction card.

The card may be formed in the sheet such that one or more notches areleft that keep the card attached to the surrounding sheet. For example,a pair of notches may be formed on opposite sides of the card, allowingthe card to be detached by pivoting the card in and out of the plane ofthe surrounding sheet. Alternatively, a gap formed between the card andsheet may be large enough to allow a cutting instrument (e.g., knifeblade, scissors, etc.) to cut or shear the notches. In some embodiments,hinge lines are formed in the sheet that allows the sheet to beseparated into two or more sections by bending the sheet along the hingelines. Once the sheet is separated or bent, the transaction card may bemore easily detached from the surrounding sheet. In some moreembodiments, the notches formed are weak enough to allow the card to bedetached by applying sufficient manual force in a directionperpendicular to the display side of the sheet.

Electronics that permits contactless transactions is also added to thetransaction card 210. The electronics may be an integrated circuit chipthat includes an electromagnetic transmitter and/or receiver forwirelessly sending and/or receiving transaction information.

It should be appreciated that some of the steps in the method above maybe performed in a different order than described above. For example, oneof skill in the art would recognized that adding the contactlesselectronics to the transaction card 210 may be done before forming theapertures in the sheet 206. These alternate sequences of steps are alsoincluded in embodiments of the present method.

FIG. 3 shows a flowchart illustrating another method of making atransaction card assembly 300 according to embodiments of the invention.The method 300 starts with the formation of the contactless electronicsin the sheet 302. The transaction card itself may also be formed orattached to the sheet 304. Before, during or after formation of thetransaction card, apertures may also be formed in the sheet 306.Afterwards, indicia may be added to the sheet 308.

The addition of the indicia 308, may be done at the same location as theother steps in the method 300, or the sheet may be transported to adifferent location where the indicia may be added. For example, aportion of the production of the transaction card assembly, such as theformation of the contactless electronics, transaction card, andapertures in the sheet, may be performed at a production facility, andthe indicia may be added at a separate finishing facility.

Having described several embodiments, it will be recognized by those ofskill in the art that various modifications, alternative constructions,and equivalents may be used without departing from the spirit of theinvention. Additionally, a number of well known processes and elementshave not been described in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring thepresent invention. Accordingly, the above description should not betaken as limiting the scope of the invention.

Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that eachintervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unlessthe context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lowerlimits of that range is also specifically disclosed. Each smaller rangebetween any stated value or intervening value in a stated range and anyother stated or intervening value in that stated range is encompassedwithin the invention. The upper and lower limits of these smaller rangesmay independently be included or excluded in the range, and each rangewhere either, neither or both limits are included in the smaller rangesis also encompassed within the invention, subject to any specificallyexcluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated range includes oneor both of the limits, ranges excluding either or both of those includedlimits are also included in the invention.

As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”,“and”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearlydictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a process” includesa plurality of such processes and reference to “the electrode” includesreference to one or more electrodes and equivalents thereof known tothose skilled in the art, and so forth.

Also, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” “include,” “including,” and“includes” when used in this specification and in the following claimsare intended to specify the presence of stated features, integers,components, or steps, but they do not preclude the presence or additionof one or more other features, integers, components, steps, or groups.

1. A transaction card assembly comprising: a transaction card having acontactless integrated circuit that communicates with a card reader; anda sheet surrounding at least a portion of the transaction card andsubstantially coplanar with the card, wherein the transaction card isdetached from the sheet by pressing on at least a portion of the card ina direction substantially perpendicular to the sheet.
 2. The transactioncard assembly of claim 1, wherein the sheet comprises an aperture forsuspending the card assembly from a display hook.
 3. The transactioncard assembly of claim 1, wherein the transaction card comprises anaperture.
 4. The transaction card assembly of claim 3, wherein thetransaction card accepts a key chain.
 5. The transaction card assemblyof claim 1, wherein the transaction card comprises a signature strip. 6.The transaction card assembly of claim 1, wherein the transaction cardhas a shape selected from the group consisting of circular, oval,triangular, square, rectangular, and polygonal.
 7. The transaction cardassembly of claim 1, wherein the transaction card has a rectangularshape having dimensions that are about 2.125 inches by about 3.375inches.
 8. The transaction card assembly of claim 1, wherein thetransaction card has a rectangular shape having dimensions that areabout 1.5 inches by about 2.5 inches.
 9. The transaction card assemblyof claim 1, wherein the transaction card has a shape that is associatedwith a business of a transaction card issuer.
 10. The transaction cardassembly of claim 1, wherein the integrated circuit comprises an antennafor transmitting and receiving data at the card.
 11. The transactioncard assembly of claim 8, wherein the data is transmitted using radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation.
 12. The transaction card assemblyof claim 1, wherein the transaction card is a contactless smartcard. 13.The transaction card assembly of claim 1, wherein the transaction cardmeets standards for a contactless smartcard as defined by ISO 14443 orISO
 15693. 14. The transaction card assembly of claim 1, wherein thetransaction card is selected from the group consisting of a credit card,a debit card, a gift card, and a stored value card.
 15. The transactioncard assembly of claim 1, wherein the sheet comprises an advertisement.16. The transaction card assembly of claim 12, wherein the advertisementcomprises indicia identifying an issuer of the transaction card.
 17. Thetransaction card assembly of claim 12, wherein the advertisementcomprises indicia identifying a merchant that accepts the transactioncard.
 18. The transaction card assembly of claim 12, wherein theadvertisement comprises indicia identifying a product or service thatmay be purchased using the transaction card.
 19. The transaction cardassembly of claim 1, wherein the sheet comprises indicia for a prepaidaccount balance associated with the transaction card.
 20. Thetransaction card assembly of claim 1, wherein the transaction cardcomprises indicia identifying an account number associated with thecard.
 21. A punchout transaction card comprising a contactlessintegrated circuit that communicates with a card reader, wherein atleast a portion of an edge of the card was attached to a substantiallycoplanar sheet surrounding the card, and the card was detached from thesheet by pressing on at least a portion of the attached card that wassubstantially perpendicular to the sheet.
 22. The punchout transactioncard of claim 21, wherein the transaction card is a contactlesssmartcard.
 23. The punchout transaction card of claim 21, wherein thetransaction card is selected from the group consisting of a credit card,a debit card, a gift card, and a stored value card.
 24. The punchouttransaction card of claim 21, wherein the transaction card has a shapeselected from the group consisting of circular, oval, triangular,square, rectangular, and polygonal.
 25. The punchout transaction card ofclaim 21, wherein the transaction card has a rectangular shape havingdimensions that are about 2.125 inches by about 3.375 inches.
 26. Thepunchout transaction card of claim 21, wherein the transaction card hasa rectangular shape having dimensions that are about 1.5 inches by about2.5 inches.
 27. The punchout transaction card of claim 21, wherein thesheet comprises an advertisement.
 28. The punchout transaction card ofclaim 21, wherein the sheet comprises an aperture for suspending thecard assembly from a display hook.
 29. A transaction card assemblycomprising: a substantially planar member having a first edge; and atransaction card having a second edge, wherein the member and thetransaction card are reversibly attached along at least a portion of thefirst and second edge, and wherein the transaction card comprises acontactless integrated circuit that communicates with a card reader. 30.The transaction card assembly of claim 29, wherein the transaction cardhas a rectangular shape having dimensions that are about 2.125 inches byabout 3.375 inches.
 31. The transaction card assembly of claim 29,wherein the transaction card has a rectangular shape having dimensionsthat are about 1.5 inches by about 2.5 inches.
 32. The transaction cardassembly of claim 29, wherein the transaction card is a contactlesssmartcard.
 33. The transaction card assembly of claim 29, wherein thetransaction card is selected from the group consisting of a credit card,a debit card, a gift card, and a stored value card.
 34. The transactioncard assembly of claim 29, wherein the member comprises an aperture forsuspending the card assembly from a display hook.
 35. The transactioncard assembly of claim 29, wherein the member comprises anadvertisement.
 36. A method of making a transaction card assembly, themethod comprising: providing a sheet; and forming a transaction card inthe sheet, the transaction card comprising a contactless integratedcircuit that communicates with a card reader, wherein at least a portionof an edge of the transaction card is reversibly attached to the sheet.37. The method of claim 36, wherein the transaction card is formed inthe sheet by laser cutting of the sheet.
 38. The method of claim 36,wherein the transaction card is formed in the sheet by stamping thesheet.